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] Date Posted:Tue, Mar 19 2013, 1:43:48 GMT
I have just reached the end of the novel and all along I knew it couldnt end well. I had to stop briefly after the death of Doyler and was surprised at how little I felt: I had so grown to love Doyler as I guess everyone here does. But the chapter that follows had me in such a state that I could hardly attend choir practice this evening . . . . I have spent the entire evening googling places and people mentioned in the novel: the forty foot and the Muglins, Kingstown and Dalkey Island, the Shelbourne hotel, Casement and Pearse. While I was reading this amazing book I didnt want it ever to end. I wanted Jim, Doyler and Macem to be a part of my life for ever. Alas, now it is over but these two boys will live on in my dreams for a long long time to come. What cheer, eh?[
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Date Posted:Tue, Jul 02 2013, 19:06:32 GMT
>Alas, now it is over
>but these two boys will live on in my dreams for a
>long long time to come. What cheer, eh?

Indeed. I re-read "At Swim..." every few years, allowing just enough time to pass so that the fine detail is released from memory and I am once again able to fully revel in the language and in the love I take on for these characters. And I weep for half an hour each time at the end, and carry that world with me for days. I was lucky enough to work in Dublin a couple times in 2003 and the book and its people served as my guides through the city. I will return once again while I'm able. Having listened to the excellent radio interview linked from this website somewhere, I wait for news of the sequel and hope so steadfastly that I'll live to read it.